Sturgeon is out of step on trans rights, MSPs claim

Gillian Martin lost her job as a junior minister after it was revealed she had made transphobic commentsROGER GAISFORD/ALAMY

Three prominent SNP MSPs have raised concerns over Nicola Sturgeon’s position on transgender rights, according to leaked messages.

A minister, a former minister and a committee convener appeared to suggest the first minister was “out of step” with her party colleagues on the issue.

Ruth Maguire, the convener of Holyrood’s equalities and human rights committee, shared a quote from a speech that Ms Sturgeon gave at a UN event in New York in February, online.

It read: “As an ardent feminist, I don’t see the greater recognition of transgender rights as a threat to me as a woman or to my feminism.” Ms Maguire shared her displeasure with the other MSPs by commenting “FFS”.

Gillian Martin, who lost her job as a junior education minister…

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